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CBFC should keep in mind why Padmavati remains etched in our memories

Bollywood director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much-hyped film Padmavati is almost ready and is likely to hit theatres next month. But the fate of the film remains uncertain as some Rajput organisations and political parties have threatened to launch an agitation if the movie is released. The debate has again taken centre stage as to why some ‘fringe elements’ are holding Bhansali’s creative expression to ransom. Unfortunately the debate seems to be too lopsided in favour of artistic cinema.

The most common refrain is that Rani Padmini did not exist in history hence there is no historical distortion. Then there is freedom of expression. People can simply ignore or boycott the film if they don’t agree with it. This is easier said than done and reflects a lack of sensitivity regarding our history, culture and tradition. There is no doubt that Padmini did exist and her being the 15th wife of Rawal Ratan Singh is a well-documented fact. That she continues to be revered across parts of north India especially Rajasthan after many centuries is a tribute to her valour rather than any poem written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi.

The least Bhansali could have done is to reach to members of the Mewar dynasty and taken them on board in this project. The scion of Mewar dynasty, Dr Trivikrama Kumari Jamwal, criticised Bhansali for creating confusion over Padmavati. In an interview, the daughter of Mahendra Singh Mewar said, “There’s nothing wrong with commercial enterprises and politics, but misusing and exploiting somebody’s pride, honour and dignity for such shallow purposes, that is where I step in and say, ‘Sorry, not acceptable’.”

The name Padmini immediately evokes awe for her unbending spirit and is worshipped in temples for her act of supreme sacrifice. The very thought of having a dream sequence where Ala-ud-din Khilji is romancing with Padmini in a film reeks of commercial interest. It goes against the very spirit of Padmini’s ‘jauhar’ but nothing deterred the film producers till it reached a flashpoint. Though there can be little justification for violence as it violates fundamental rights, but film producers too must learn to draw a line. The ball now lies in CBFC’s court.